Jim Carlson, the assistant sports editor of the Patriot-News, wasn't the only one steamed after the Pittsburgh Pirates traded CF Nate McLouth, their best player, to the Atlanta Braves on Wednesday night.

Picked up in Friday's edition of Sports Business Daily, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reporter Laura Keeley reported that Pirates fans' "displeasure was everywhere" during Thursday's home game against the Mets. A group of fans "drove nearly 75 miles to protest" the trade of McLouth, an All-Star last season, while three signs in the outfield "ridiculed the deal and called for the trade" of Pirates GM Neal Huntington.

A Post-Gazette editorial stated that the McLouth trade "breaks faith with the fans, who were the lead partner" in building PNC Park in '01. However, the "talent on the field has yet to measure up, while each successive Pirates executive says only the same thing: next year, next year, next year." The editorial: "You don't build a contender with a revolving door. You don't put a face on a team with players who are here one year and gone the next. It's time Pittsburgh baseball had ownership worthy of the game."

The Pirates, of course, spun the trade differently.

President Frank Coonelly "insisted the front office remains committed to winning this season" after trading McLouth to the Braves for three minor leaguers, according to Rob Biertempfel of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Revview. Coonelly: "We still expect to win games this season and compete for a postseason berth."

Coonelly also "scoffed at suggestions the trade was a salary dump." Coonelly: "This trade had nothing to do with money. This was a baseball trade." Pirates second baseman Freddy Sanchez, when asked if by making the trade "did Pirates management surrender the 2009 season," said, "I don't want to say yes ... but it's hard to hide from the facts." Pitcher John Grabow: "No one is safe. They signed a guy to a three-year contract, and now he's gone, so what message can they be putting across?"

Pirates 1B Adam LaRoche wasn't happy. "It's kind of like being with your platoon in a battle, and guys keep dropping around you," he said. "You keep hanging on, hanging on, and you've got to figure: How much longer till you sink?" Pirates LF Nyjer Morgan: "You know it's a business, and I trust this front office to make the right moves. But sure, for now, it stinks"

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